Historical Anecdotes of Heraldry and Chivalry; Tending to Shew the Origin of Many English and Foreign Coats of Arms, Circumstances and Customs (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1795 Excerpt: ...out to battle. Raymond divided the Brethren of St. John into three degrees; the first were the serving brothers, who had their coat of arms different from the rest; that is, distinguished by being of of another colour. The second degree were chaplains; and the third and highest, were the-knights who were to bear arms: in the house these knights wear a black mantle, and in the field a surtout or coat of arms, with a white cross of eight points, (c)a a red field; which is also their standard. If any knight fled or deserted in battle, he was deprived of the habit and cross of the order. The bread, the knights used themselves, was made of bran, mixed with the coarsest flour; but what they gave to the sick and poor, was made of the finest and whitest flour; and they relieved Mahometans as well as Christians. The last Grand Master who had his residence in the Holy Land, was John de Villicrs; from thence they went to Cyprus; after that, they settled in Rhodes, but were driven thence by Sultan Solyman the Magnificent, in 1523. They had long bravely defended themselves at Rhodes, but through the remislhess of the Christian states to assist them, and the continual and strong attacks of the Ottomans, they found it impossible to sustain themselves any longer therein; on leaving the place, their brave and noble Grand Master Villiers de risle Adam, with, his remaining knights, and the few Rhodians that were attached to him, wandered about, from city to city. They went to Gallipoli, Meffina, Rome, and Viterbo; L'Isle Adam made a journey to Madrid, for the purpose of imploring the assistance assistance of Charles V. from thence he went into France and England, to endeavour to collect the remains of the order, which was now thought to be entirely ruined, Charles V. made .